Outcomes
Click here to download Testimonials from Urban Collective guest artists and producers.
Mikill Pane
Mikill Pane joined London Urban Collective in 2006 and returned to perform a cameo role in Inferno in 2008. Since then he has worked tirelessly to create a wholly unique character and style that sets him apart from all other rapper / poet / performers in his field. He is best known for his track with Ed Sheeran 'Little Lady' which featured on Ed's 'Collaboration EP'. To date it is the best-selling track from the EP, out-selling Ed's other collaborations with artists such as Wiley, Devlin, and Wretch 32. He has recently released 'The Guinness & Blackcurrant EP', a 4-track produced by twice Mercury-nominated Seb Rochford (Babyshambles, Adele, Polar Bear). The EP, with lead track 'Read My Lips' is available on iTunes and physical copies are available on Mikill's online store. To date the EP has charted at #4 in the iTunes Hip-Hop Charts and #71 in the Album Charts. Mikill has just completed a nationwide support tour with Mac Miller (Rostrum / Atlantic Records) and is currently on tour with Ed Sheeran throughout October and November. He is currently working on his debut album 'Blame Miss Barclay', collaborating with names such as True Tiger,Maiday, Black Noise, Ed Sheeran, Yasmin. The album will be completed in 2012.
Redd
Isabella “Redd” Hyacinth from Archway auditioned for Universal Music Girl Band Fenix (featuring your very own Ayshen Kemal) and secured the role as the new fourth member of the group. She is now writing and recording with the girls for their forthcoming album in 2011.
V and the Vendettas
Veronica “VDoubleE” Youdell auditioned band members and formed V and the Vendettas.
The band are currently recording and performing all over London. Watch a video about them here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRvBKpnoIFg
Jerrell
Jerrell “Triplet” Street joined LUC while he was still on youth probation service. After the project we fielded him into an audition for BBC Switch’s youth version of Faking It. Jerrell was chosen for the programme and the BBC producers said
“Jerrell is a natural infront of the camera and very professional. We will definitely be calling on him again”.
Andy Princz
Jazz trumpeter and smooth vocalist Andy Princz is enjoying European success with Balkan beats band Gypsy Hill:
www.myspace.com/gypsyhill
He also found time to form a new band with London Urban Collective’s Alyas, Miles, B.Dot and Peanut called Retro Set who are writing as this goes to press.
Olos
Few people who saw Purgatory could forget Olos’ performance of Lust! Since the project he has recorded and released two singles and videos:
Take Two Sips:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3abjfrD40
Millionstyles
Rapper and internet radio entrepreneur has been in the studio every week since LUC and has nearly completed his own debut album and several other collaborative tracks with James Pyke, Olos, Lykez and Maria Lindgren. He has also stepped up his own internet radio show on Real rebels Radio:
www.realrebelsradio.com
Covo, James and Maria
Purgatory lead actors James Pyke and Covo teamed up with Swedish Purgatory Siren Maria Lindgren to re‐write their interpretation of a new album being recorded by 90s dance music pioneers Kissing The Pink. Recording continues and you can see some of the process on:
www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=139192829457180
London Urban Collective Purgatory
Following on from their award-winning Hipopera Inferno (Best Narrative Short, Chicago International Hip Hop Film Festival 2009), the acclaimed Urban Collective youth music project returns to the capital with a new cast of breakthrough artists and a new adaptation of Dante’s Purgatory for a spectacular stage performance in partnership with The Pleasance Theatre Islington.
Click on image opposite for the press release »
London Urban Collective™ Inferno
London Urban Collective's™ feature Hipopera Inferno has won Best Narrative Short at The 2009 Chicago International Hip Hop Film Festival. Festival Curator Geoff Harkness said "Inferno is a spectacular piece of work and a great achievement. We are delighted to award the film Best Narrative Short. To watch Inferno, and it's 'making of' documentary visit.
www.londonurbancollective.com
Jonny Itch Fox
Following London Urban Collective™ II in 2006 Jonny Fox formed The King Blues, signed to Householdname Records in 2007 and released debut album Under The Fog. Touring with Sonic Boom Six and Gogol Bordello brought them to the attention of Island Records imprint Field Records and the band were signed in 2008. Their second album Save The World - Get The Girl is out now.
www.kingblues.com
Lykez
19 year old Malaika Hendrickson, aka Lykez, performed six shows at Big Chill 2010 with the B Supreme women’s hip hop showcase. Since then she has completed her next single ‘Not Your Hair” due for release February 2011 and is currently in negotiations with Rootz Manuva’s Bananaklan label and New York’s East Village Radio Records label.
www.lykez.com
Jody McKenna
Jody McKenna emerged from the national youth music project British Urban Collective™. Recent support slots include Awash With Antler, Hoover Dams, Freedom Festival, Love Music Hate Racism, Like A Thief, Jersey Budd, Finlay Quaye and One Eskimo while Jody also appeared on Channel 4's The Secret Millionaire and wrote most of the music for that episode. He is currently recording his debut album with Homespun producer Alan Jones.
www.myspace.com/jodymckennafolk
James Pyke
James Pyke joined London Urban Collective™ I in 2004 and returned in 2008 to take the lead role in Inferno which went on to win Best Narrative Short at Chicago International Hip Hop Film Festival. Since then he has presented Channel 4’s “Whatever” series, and the “Charge!” series for Community Channel. James is now working on new material for a debut album release.
www.myspace.com/jamespyke
Iman
Iman joined LUC II where she wrote and recorded with Shola Ama. Following the project she won a bursary to attend the British Academy of New Music and had one of her songs licensed to Giles Peterson compilation Brownswood Bubllers. Another track is currently receiving daily airplay in the US via Atlanta’s WCKU Jazz radio station.
www.myspace.com/imanmusic
Covo
Covo auditioned for LUC IV and secured the lead role alongside James Pyke playing Virgil to his Dante in Inferno. His tour de force monologue in the film earned him massive critical acclaim, for his writing and performance, and he was cited by the Chicago International Hip Hop Film Festival as a major breakthrough talent. Since Inferno, Covo performed on the London stage in Paula Crickard’s Devil in Disguise and is now pursuing more acting roles while rehearsing his new band The Jekyls.
www.myspace.com/mrcovo
Testimonials
Words From Urban Collective Artists
I studied music at college and I've learned more about the music industry and met more like-minded people by being part of the Collective than I did in four years at college. Duncan
It's helped increase my knowledge of the music industry, helped me to come out of my comfort zone, helped me learn to sing, boosted my confidence, helped me to become more humble and less arrogant. Nathan
The BUC has provided an outlet for my band that has proved invaluable. We have met several like-minded people within it and continue to stay in close contact with them. Mike
We are now actively seeking gigs, management deals, and are in contact with A&R from Warner Music, and I feel like even if nothing came from any of this, I have had the time of my life being a part of it. Steve
The Collective has been the best thing I have done in music and I would do it again in a heartbeat. William
I wanted somebody to hear me sing and listen to my songs and these people just came out of nowhere and gave me an opportunity. So instead of me sitting in my bedroom writing songs and being afraid to express myself, I am a lot more confident. Now I sing my songs to anyone who'll listen. I’ve taken the next step forward …Thank you guys. Carrie
I've learnt things about the music industry that I wasn't even close to knowing previously, and I'm now fully Mac and Logic literate. I couldn't thank the team enough for my new-found drive to crack on with all things music.You've given us a gift that keeps on giving. Daniom
The British Urban Collective is one of the most interesting and exciting things that I have ever done, it has giving me something to aim for and now I really do know what industry I want to work in. Jack
If you see a project like Urban Collective then just go for it and audition. Off the back of Urban Collective, God knows what can happen! Covo
Words From Community Center Partners
Without doubt the BUC project has been one of the most exciting projects The Warren has ever been involved in. Not only did it equip us with an industry standard recording studio but taught us what was necessary in terms of skills and commitment in order to engage and then promote young people of talent. Keith, Hull
The Urban Collective is the real deal giving the kids involved a genuine taste of the whole music industry. The kids loved every second of the Urban Collective experience and of course the United Estates got a state of the art recording studio, which is now used on a daily basis with bookings being made weeks in advance. Greg Davies, Manchester
The British Urban Collective has been both a fantastic and community ground-breaking initiative. This initiative has given those artists involved the opportunity to develop as artists and with the high levels of commitment currently being shown by the management team we can surely achieve greater things in the coming year. Jo, Belfast
BUC coming to Glasgow has had a significant influence on FARE's future programme planning. Seeing the growth in confidence in many of the collective has convinced us that music, and music production, is an important tool in the personal development of young people. Rosemary, Glasgow